State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) is working to bring more efficiency to state government. Legislation filed by Haine that would change the rules for the State Board of Health passed the Public Health Committee on Tuesday.

Currently, the State Board of Health has final approval over several of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) rules, which unnecessarily delays the department’s rule-making process.

“This legislation is aimed at reducing bureaucracy in state government,” Haine said. “Government consolidation saves money and helps to speed along the process of getting important tasks done to better serve the people of Illinois. Government should work for the people in an efficient manner. Frankly, I think we need more of this.”

As Illinois begins its 10th month without a budget, local senior service providers continue to feel the burden. Many organizations have called out to legislators to voice their concerns.

Senior Services Plus, an Alton organization that serves over 30,000 people a year, met with State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) last week to outline just how the impasse continues to affect the communities they serve.

“When I met with Senior Services Plus last year, the situation was bad,” Haine said. “Fast forward a year later, this situation is dire. What is even more frustrating is this was an avoidable situation. I don’t know if Governor Rauner understands what happens when he vetoes funding for services that help seniors. It means people go without food, they are forced out of their homes and into assisted living facilities, and their quality of life diminishes.

“We have sent the governor a budget that would have allowed our seniors to continue to receive the care they need. I hope he will keep this in mind before vetoing another plan to help our senior citizens.”

Illinois citizens may soon be protected against excessive fees for impounded vehicles. Illinois State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) is working legislation through the Senate in an effort to bring fairness and efficiency to the process of redeeming vehicles impounded by municipalities.

Haine filed legislation in response to reports indicating that some local governments were charging as much as $500 for a tow release fee. Senate Bills 2261 and 2265 aim to clarify previous laws which allow municipalities to set administrative fees related to the processing and cost of impounded vehicles.

“This legislation is aimed at protecting citizens in our communities from outrageous impound fees,” Haine said. “Having a car break down on the side of the road or having to abandon a vehicle because of unforeseeable circumstances is already a heavy enough burden to bear. Excessive impound fees on top of that is simply unreasonable. This legislation protects people from being victim to large fees due to unfortunate circumstances.”

The two pieces of legislation contain the following protections:

Senate Bill 2261:• Limits the administrative fee by a local government for impounded vehicles from exceeding the actual cost of services provided • Prevents a vehicle from being impounded for illegal parking unless it has been there for more than 48 hours or the owner was unable to move the vehicle due to an emergency circumstance • Attorney fees will be awarded by the county or municipality if a vehicle is wrongfully seized

Senate Bill 2265: • Daily storage fees for impounded vehicles shall not accrue until five days after the vehicle is towed • Requires a notice of seizure be sent by mail at the time the vehicles is towed • Allows a lease holder to take possession of an impounded vehicle

Senator Haine said he plans to bring the bills before the full Senate later this month

Senior Services Plus and I will host a senior fair on April 25 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Senior Services Plus in Alton (2603 N. Rodgers Ave., Alton).

My goal is to bring vital state and local organizations to one convenient location. The fair will provide seniors and caregivers an opportunity to hear about a variety of different state and local programs and resources. At the fair you can...